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September 7, 2010

APD: Driver lied to police after fatal crash

Police searching for woman who claimed to be passenger

By Brandi Watters The Herald Bulletin

ANDERSON, Ind. — The man believed to have been the driver of a truck involved in a fatal crash Monday has admitted that he lied to police to protect his family.

Sgt. Bill Casey of the Anderson Police Department said Bradley DeBord, 46, originally lied to police when he stated that he was the driver of a red Ford pickup truck that smashed into a black Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Marilyn Hirsch, 64, on Monday evening.

The accident occurred on Scatterfield Road just south of Cross Street at about 6:40 p.m.

Hirsch died as a result of injuries from the crash, and police still believe she drove into the path of the truck, which had the right of way.

Even so, police now say that DeBord and the other passengers in his vehicle could face charges for lying about the circumstances of the accident.

DeBord has confessed to police that it was his sister, Darla Wright, 45, of Anderson, who drove the truck that night, not him, Casey said Tuesday.

DeBord said his sister had been drinking and fled the scene before police arrived, Casey said.

“Before we even got out there, she was able to flee the scene,” Casey said.

When Wright showed up at the hospital where her family members were being treated on Monday, she told police that she was riding in the bed of the truck along with the juvenile who received severe neck injuries in the crash and was later taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Casey said officers observed fresh cuts on Wright’s face, and didn’t test her blood-alcohol level since she wasn’t believed to have been driving.

Now, she’s gone, Casey said.

Police are looking for Wright to question her about the accident, but she has fled the area, he said.

Since Wright’s mother, 71-year-old Martha Hanshew, also lied to police at the scene about who was driving, she also could face charges, Casey said.

Criminal charges are pending against Wright, Hanshew and DeBord, Casey said, awaiting review by the Madison County prosecutor.

Casey said the new information could affect the outcome of the crash investigation.

“When you’re driving intoxicated, you’re liable, but there’s a lot of what-ifs. Still, the woman (Hirsch) did pull out in front of the path of the truck. Anytime you drive drunk, you’re liable for anything you do, whether it’s your fault or not,” he said.

Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Darla Wright should contact Crime Stoppers at 649-8310.

Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com        

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